Sermon Recap 1-13-13

Morning: The sermon, "Gospel Shaped Relationships," focused on Colossians 3:18-4:1. In this passage, Paul reminds us that the gospel should shape all of our relationships.  The temptation some face in relationships is to please the other person within that relationship. Other want to please themselves in relationship. In all of our relationships, we need to remember that we should live to please the Lord. Here is how the gospel should shape our relationships:

1. Wives should submit to their husbands. Paul's command suggests humility and equality. The husband is not to subject his wife, she is to come under his leadership. The wives submission acknowledges the created order. It also fits the larger model. Jesus, the Son is equal to the Father, but submits to him. The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and the Son, but submits to them. Believers are to submit to their leaders and each other. Paul also notes that this submission is not blind obedience. Wives are only to submit as fitting to the the Lord. In other words, they don't have to violate their consciences when husband led them astray.

2. The husband is to love his wife and not be harsh. He is to give himself to the nurture and care of his spouse. His needs are to give way to hers. He is to guide with gentleness and care.

3. Children are to obey their parents. Rebellion toward parents is rebellion towards God. Children honor God when they obey their parents.

4. Parents shouldn't embitter their children. There are numerous things one could do to embitter their child: unrealistic expectations, too much praise, not enough praise, violence, verbal abuse, etc.

5. Employees need to work hard. We don't have an exact correlations to slavery today. However, an rough analogy can be drawn between slave/employee and master/employer. The employee is to work with sincerity. They should work at the same level of excellence whether or not their boss is present. The should work with passion. As they work with all their might, they reflect the glory of God and make that glory known to those around them. They must also work in faith knowing that their work will receive a reward greater than a paycheck.

6. The employer is also reminded to do right by his workers. God shows no favoritism. He expects workers to work, and their employers to provide for them fairly.

Apart from the gospel, these types of relationships are not possible. It is only by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit that we are able to live out these God-given roles.

Evening: We reviewed our church covenant tonight.